Tropicali

If the service had more stars to add I would max it out.the staff are so dope I was having an okay day and they made it so much better by their personalities and hooked me up with a passion fruit waffle which was amazing.food was great we will definitely visit them Everytime we're around the area.

Published 2 months ago

Great delicious food. Super friendly service. Google delivered. I searched top rated restaurants, and this one is one of the best. The atmosphere is very welcoming and relaxing. The plates looked small, and I got worried that the teenager was not going to get full, but he did, so that was a plus. The whole party wished we would have been able to go back, but we didn't make it a second time. Next time we're up there, we sure will go back. Even people we know asked if we stopped at this amazing restaurant, and when we asked Tropicali? They were like, "Yes!" We were proud to say yes, we did, and yes, we agree.

Published 4 months ago

From the moment we walked in, the vibe was amazing. The staff were super friendly and helpful, guiding us through ordering our food. We loved that we could choose our own seating, and of course, we picked the lake view absolutely stunning! The environment was so chilled, and the food was delicious. I’ll definitely be coming back with my family. Highly recommend this spot 10/10!

Published a month ago

We visited during Thanksgiving weekend for lunch, and while the line was quite long, we only waited about an hour thanks to their efficient service. One of the staff members (maybe the owner’s brother?) was incredibly friendly and attentive. He frequently checked in with everyone in line, offering drinks and making the wait much more bearable.

I ordered the Baja Bowl with beef since I’m pregnant and can’t have raw fish, but it ended up being way too spicy for me (I have zero tolerance for spice 😭). Just as I was debating whether to order something else, the same staff member came by to check on us and kindly offered to replace my dish with a Teriyaki Chicken Bowl. I was so grateful! 😭 It was absolutely delicious, and I finished every bite.

I’ve never written a review before, but the experience here was just too good not to share. Amazing service and great food—definitely worth the wait. Highly recommend!

Published 2 months ago

The food here is absolutely spectacular, amazing, and out of this world. I never leave reviews, but I had to take the time to give praise where praise is due. I tried their poke bowl, pulled pork bowl, and Belgian waffle with the cinnamon banana on top and all were incredible. The customer service was incredible as well; the staff were so friendly and clearly very passionate about their work. I highly recommend, this is a must visit if you are rolling through Big Bear!

Published 2 months ago

Visited Tropicali today for the 1st time and they're at a new location. Cool vibe, Great Lake view, drinks were good and food was amazing! The employees were a vibe too. You can check out my TikTok @mamab311 for a cute video of the place.

Published a month ago

A fun yummy experience from the set- up to the food. A food plate for everyone's tast buds. Most of the dishes have rice and your choice of combination of meat and veggies. I had the kauai Bowl, absolutely delicious. There is seating inside and outside as to continue enjoying the weather. The owners are friendly and helpful as to what to order. If you like spicy sauce you definitely have to try theirs with the food.

Published 5 months ago

Feels super homey, the staff make you comfortable as you wait in line, will grab you drinks. They chat with you about the menu as you get closer so you be confident about what to order.

Food is delicious. Highly recommend.

Published 4 months ago

I ordered the Teriyaki Chicken bowl it was delicious. There’s indoor and outdoor seating. The views are beautiful, they have a new location and it’s so much cuter. There is a bar inside the restaurant. The decorations are super quirky and cute.

Published 13 days ago

Published 16 days ago

Amazing ambiance! All the staff were in character and we felt like we were in Hawaii (even though it was freezing outside). Ordering was easy, line was fast for this time of year (we arrived at 4:30 pm) and we got called up for food in maybe 15 mins. Non-Alcoholic smoothies were delicious! Wasn't the most amazing poke bowls we've had - all of them were quite simple with just fish and maybe one other item like cucumber. So while we missed Tamago, or Japanese seaweed salad and other traditional add-ons, we had a blast. Staff really made us feel welcome. Fish while not the best, was good. Best of all, everyone was happy with their meal.

Published 20 days ago

Delicious food and drinks . We got the Pele Bowl and the Paniolo, both of which we loved . The Blue Hawaiian smoothie was also really good . The interior decor is so detailed and fun. Great service and vibes .

Published 21 days ago

This was my first time and the ordering is via a kiosk. I had the Baja Bowl and selected the button for “gluten free”. There is no spot to indicate an allergy or type a note. I inquired with the staff distributing orders about adding a note for cross contamination and about the sauce being dairy free. I was informed the Baja bowl was GF, dairy free, and soy free. I had another employ make a comment to me afterwards along the lines of “is it an Instagram thing or a real deadly allergy” which was very rude and insensitive. Given that the kiosk doesn’t have additional options to add comments.

Published 21 days ago

Food is absolutely INCREDIBLE. One of the best restaurants I’ve been to period, and it’s very affordable too. Overall vibe here is so cute and the service goes above and beyond. This place is a MUST if you’re in big bear or traveling near it.

Published 21 days ago

New location. Expect a huge wait on winter weekends. Worth every minute of wait. Quirky decor. Delicious poke or chicken rice bowls. I think there is pulled pork. I dunno I only have eyes for poke. And I’m usually a sushi over poke kinda gal. This is my favorite place to eat in big bear. I once drove an hour out of the way to get it. And my dad lives in big bear so it’s not like I am away from it too much.

Published 22 days ago

Koby

Published 25 days ago

Good food paired with incredible vibes/service/atmosphere. They are missing one key item, IMO for this style food genre. Where in the coconut tree is the Mac Salad! Brah, I almost drove my Tacoma back to San Diego in protest. Please fix this fatal error.

Published a month ago

Visited Tropicali today for the 1st time and they're at a new location. Cool vibe, Great Lake view, drinks were good and food was amazing! The employees were a vibe too. You can check out my TikTok @mamab311 for a cute video of the place.

Published a month ago

If I ever come back to Big Bear Lake, this WILL be my to-go place. Servers are EXTREMELY chill and friendly. You will have fun with them for sure! Food and drinks are BUSSIN (excellent and delicious!!) Tahiti Bowl and Blue Hawait are Spot-On! I love them!

Published a month ago

Staff here is the best!! The ambiance is wonderful.
Food was okay. The only poke bowl we loved the Pele. Everything else with just ok. It’s definitely good but not worth the hype. The line to order was 30 minutes wait. Food took an additional 35 minutes.

Published a month ago

I think the best thing about this restaurant is the atmosphere & service! Super friendly workers who check in on you! I will say that you might have to wait in line but it’s not too bad because the restaurant itself is well designed. Food was goated too! Was out of the teriyaki chicken but tried the one of the poke & jerk chicken!

Published a month ago

The place is so popular that it took 45 mins to order our food and then 45 to get our food. Plan accordingly

Published a month ago

The dude at the bar flat out makes that place somehow better than it already is. Customer service in a venue that you order through a self service kiosk wouldn't normally coincidence but somehow they do it. Bummed they were closed on the 26th but will definitely be back next trip to big bear

Published a month ago

We love the new Tropicali definitely worth the wait and the line moves well.
A few menus on the line while waiting might speed up the line when you get to the order kiosks, but even the tables turn over quite fast as people do not tend to hang out at lunch time on a Sunday evening. Definitely the best poke food I have tasted on the mainland. And this version deux has food, views and an even better ambience 10 stars!!

Published a month ago

This place is a disaster. They move and don’t update their location on any navigation site. Can’t contact them easily and all the mgr says is “this is the way we do it”. So I get in line to place my order and 5 minutes later they have no more poke bowls available for the night. I am not from the Big Bear area and know idea how to find it. Zero for customer service.

Published a month ago

Epic vibes Epic food

Published a month ago

Always a banger. Get the Krakatoa if you don’t know what to get

Published a month ago

Same incredible food, even better location now.

Published a month ago

Published a month ago

immaculate vibes

Published a month ago

Great Service, Great Food

Published 6 years ago

From the moment we walked in, the vibe was amazing. The staff were super friendly and helpful, guiding us through ordering our food. We loved that we could choose our own seating, and of course, we picked the lake view absolutely stunning! The environment was so chilled, and the food was delicious. I’ll definitely be coming back with my family. Highly recommend this spot 10/10!

Published a month ago

Coolest spot in town, great food, really friendly staff!

Published a month ago

Poké bowl was great, but the atmosphere was incredible the employees were friendly and vibing to the music and they were fast

Published a month ago

**40771 Big Bear Blvd is their new location!**
We’ve been loving on Tropicali since they first opened but yesterday was the icing on top! Their new location is EPIC! So fun to walk through a megalodon sharks jaw to get through the front door then the incredible visual feast once you get inside - so much to explore and discover! The decor is out of this world and the lake views and outdoor deck are irresistible. The usual gang was there to welcome us in, help us make delicious selections, give us some happy fist bumps with silliness and so much joy! We had such a good time that we decided to order another round of beer and sit at the window soaking in that view. So stoked to see an entire rainbow over Big Bear Lake! The food is delicious, the beer options are plentiful and the good vibe of this place are contagious - you won’t want to leave! Looking forward to returning again and again!

Published a month ago

Wisconsin approved! 👐🏼 Amazing food and dudes!

Published a month ago

Best place in Big Bear! Wish I lived here and could go everyday for the food, people, and great atmosphere. Such a gem. We were super lucky to go there on day 3 of the reopened spot- loved it. Had the Malibu bowl- spicy and sweet. Extra cucumber. Also had kraken bowl and it was amazing. Great lake view outside. Don't miss out.

Published 2 months ago

This was the best restaurant experience I have had in a while! The food was EXCELLENT, the perfect portion yet so delicious I could have had a whole second meal for the taste alons. As I leave to head back to NYC, I will be looking at empty storefronts and petitioning to open an east coast location!

Published 2 months ago

Belgian waffles are very good, but a bit on the sweet side. The poke bowl is tuna only, simple with an excellent blend of rice, veggies, and sauce

Published 2 months ago

Published 2 months ago

When you first walk up the line seems a bit long but man does it move at a good pace then they also offer drinks in line to kill the time. But man can I say staff was so friendly and helped stear me in the right direction. And the food was beyond amazing such great quality and great flavors will be coming back for sure

Published 2 months ago

We visited during Thanksgiving weekend for lunch, and while the line was quite long, we only waited about an hour thanks to their efficient service. One of the staff members (maybe the owner’s brother?) was incredibly friendly and attentive. He frequently checked in with everyone in line, offering drinks and making the wait much more bearable.

I ordered the Baja Bowl with beef since I’m pregnant and can’t have raw fish, but it ended up being way too spicy for me (I have zero tolerance for spice 😭). Just as I was debating whether to order something else, the same staff member came by to check on us and kindly offered to replace my dish with a Teriyaki Chicken Bowl. I was so grateful! 😭 It was absolutely delicious, and I finished every bite.

I’ve never written a review before, but the experience here was just too good not to share. Amazing service and great food—definitely worth the wait. Highly recommend!

Published 2 months ago

Always a great stop on snow trips!!

Published 2 months ago

Cool group of guys. Informative on menu. Everything was very tasty with good ingredients. Great beer choices. I will definitely return here soon!

Published 2 months ago

Published 4 years ago

Published 6 months ago

One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Incredibly friendly atmosphere, shockingly high quality meats, and FAST service. We had our food within 3 mins of ordering.

Published 2 months ago

Great poke, really tasty but honestly come for the service, they’re really great and friendly

Published 2 months ago

Amazing food, customer service, and decor! You might have to wait in line, but that just shows how delicious it is.

Published 2 months ago

Can I give this more than 5 stars? Not often that reality surpasses the hype. Excellent from start to finish. Service was terrific. Great atmosphere and energy. Food was even better. We tried the poke, teriyaki chicken and barbacoa - all awesome. You should have no reservation trying this joint. Never mind the short wait - it will be more than worth the time invested.

Published 2 months ago

Published 2 months ago

Amazing food and the friendliest people :)

Published 2 months ago

Published 2 months ago

Great food. Friendly staffs

Published 2 months ago

I live Tropicali from the atmosphere to the food. Not to mention its one of the safest places I can eat gluten free :)

Published 2 months ago

Amazing! Felt like I was in Hawaii 🌴 Food was sooooo good. I had Tikiyaki, the Kahala waffle 🫠 and the Gangster smoothie. Currently in a food coma 😊

Published 2 months ago

Best spot in Big Bear. Love the food, the people are amazing and I don’t want to leave the tropical spot they have created in the mountains.

Published 2 months ago

The food here is absolutely spectacular, amazing, and out of this world. I never leave reviews, but I had to take the time to give praise where praise is due. I tried their poke bowl, pulled pork bowl, and Belgian waffle with the cinnamon banana on top and all were incredible. The customer service was incredible as well; the staff were so friendly and clearly very passionate about their work. I highly recommend, this is a must visit if you are rolling through Big Bear!

Published 2 months ago

If the service had more stars to add I would max it out.the staff are so dope I was having an okay day and they made it so much better by their personalities and hooked me up with a passion fruit waffle which was amazing.food was great we will definitely visit them Everytime we're around the area.

Published 2 months ago

Published 2 months ago

Came back a few days later for more. That's how great everything was. I had a poke bowl and a spicy pork bowl which were amazing and flavorful. I tried the island gangster, Mac but cold brew and blue crush and each one was absolutely amazing.

Published 2 months ago

It was good. Would I say best in the US? I don’t know about all that… Fresh and tasty though, no complaints.

Published 3 months ago

Came here for lunch very very satisfied, loved that they have keto friendly food. Staff was knowledgeable and had very good customer service. Thank you! The food was absolutely delicious. I got teriyaki chicken with tropical Caribbean vegetables/fruit mix. The hibiscus tea is delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant!

Published 3 months ago

This restaurant rocks, everything about this food screams beyond delicious. Staff was super friendly and knowledgeable about what they were serving and they came out to talk to us about our food. They came out with confidence about the meals they were preparing me and my wife and we can testify there was no disappointment. Fresh Poke, vegetables vegan, keto, paleo, friendly. Come one come all to the best restaurant in Big Bear.

Published 3 months ago

Love love the food and fun here! I prefer the Chohola.

Published 2 years ago

Loved it. Good food. Good service. Great atmosphere.

Published 3 months ago

Published 3 months ago

This place truly feels like a hidden gem! The food is absolutely amazing, and the service is genuinely outstanding. The staff goes out of their way to help you understand the menu while you’re waiting, and their fun, energetic attitude makes the experience even more enjoyable. It’s definitely a must-visit for both locals and vacationers looking for a warm and welcoming atmosphere!

Published 3 months ago

Delicious food!super friendly service!

Published 3 months ago

Great vibe! Great food! Great people!

Published 3 months ago

This place is 5 stars every time!

Published 3 months ago

Published 3 months ago

We had an awesome experience at Tropicali! We tried the Krakatoa (off-menu gem) and the Rastalavista—both were incredibly flavorful and unique. We recommend getting extra sauce if you like it spicy for the Rastalavista. The staff was super helpful and enthusiastic, offering great recommendations based on our preferences. The ambiance was beautiful and created a perfect, chill vibe. Definitely a spot worth visiting

Published 3 months ago

Is it possible to rate a 6/5? If not then oh well, this place was better than I ever could have imagined

Published 3 months ago

Awesome food and stuff!
Came back after 2 years and it’s still as good as I remembered!
I need to remember my favorite is Paniolo bowl as they have 3 beef bowl options

Published 3 months ago

Great food and easy vibe here. The jerk sauce on the chicken was perfect and the waffles just right. Looking forward to coming back the next time I'm in big bear

Published 3 months ago

Published 3 months ago

Was recommended this place via Casey Willax (YouTube). Crushed it, better than much of what you'll encounter in HI. A fusion of options.
Vibes on point courtesy of Kyle and Ian! It's rare to find those who care about both the food and vibe, but when you do, the feeling is palpable. Aloha!

Published 3 months ago

This is THE PLACE!!! The STOKE is SO HIGH Brah! 😂 if i could rate it 100 stars ⭐️ I would! Family operated business, super amazing food, will ALWAYS make a point to visit and grab something when in the area. LOVE THIS PLACE! Does not disappoint at all!! If you don’t stop here and eat, you gotta be 🥜!!! Will see you again!! 🫡

Published 3 months ago

Amazing food and atmosphere. We had just arrived and were waiting for our room. Wow glad we went there. Highly recommend

Published 3 months ago

Amazing food and customer service. The Choloha bowl was phenomenal- great blend of Hawaiian and Mexican flavors. The Krakatoa poke bowl was equally as great - very fresh ingredients and loved the balance of crunch with the soft poke. And lastly, cannot stress this enough, the best cold brew I’ve ever had. Tried both the Island Style and Ensenada Chata and couldn’t get enough of them. Wish I could have poured some in a gallon jug and taken on the plane home with me.

Published 3 months ago

Published 3 months ago

Published 3 months ago

Man, this place is an addiction. Let me tell you that this is one of my most favorite restaurants in socal. My only complaint is that I can only come here about once a year, and If I don't I go into withdrawal (that's how good it is.) y'all need to sell your sauces, they're to die for.

Published 3 months ago

Simply the best. If you're visiting Big Bear, Tropicali is a must. From the incredible hospitality to the awesome poke bowls, this is our favorite spot in town and my personal favorite mainland poke spot. Worth the trip up the mountain just to have a bowl and their island style iced coffee! The line moves quickly, don't despair, it's worth the wait!
Oh, and definitely get yourself a dessert waffle, you earned it.

Published 3 months ago

Such a fun and friendly vibe, in addition to the Hawaiin aloha atmosphere. LOVED the Krakatoa and the Black Pearl! Can't wait for my next voyage to these shores again soon! 🤙

Published 3 months ago

Awesome service and food

Published 3 months ago

Published 3 months ago

The food was amazing but the service was even better! Such a gem!

Published 3 months ago

Great place to get poke, but the atmosphere and service deserve more than a 5! I haven't seen an establishment that was so well put together thematically and as a whole. I felt that each member of the staff loved being there as well as helping out customers in any way possible. Theme wise, the music and interior made you feel as if you were on a set of a show based on Hawaii or a jungle while also being spotless. Not to mention the jerk chicken with spices (the Rasta) is on point (their spices are imported fresh!) So a definite recommendation for those that can handle spice!

Published 3 months ago

This place is a real gem! It’s not only one of the most fun restaurants I’ve ever been to, but up in big bear it thrives. It has totally earned all of these 5 star reviews, far and above the other mediocre American restaurants here.

Published 3 months ago

Published 3 months ago

I don’t normally take the time to leave a review but this place is worth it. There will be a line, I promise wait through it. The staff are incredibly nice, even if you aren’t in a social mood they will respect that with the most kindness. Food is out of this world and even if you’re unsure the staff will inform you what will suit you best

Published 3 months ago

Amazing experience! Everyone so friendly. Poke is fresh. Bowls are flavorful. Family owned business and you can tell this is their passion to serve great food every single time!

Published 3 months ago

cross-over ambience von Dali über Gaugin bis Indoniesia und Hawaii. The food tastes delicious, that Malibu Bowl was a real cracker! super friendly staff, great chef! 99,9% 🙂👌🫰muy costozo, but that is California!

Published 3 months ago

Solid bowls, great service, and super friendly/helpful staff. Wholeheartedly recommend and can't wait for the next trip.

Published 3 months ago

Vibes were immaculate 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼 can’t wait for the upcoming luau 🏝️

Published 3 months ago

You can tell this place is all about the experience and good food. This is why you go out to eat and spend your hard earned cash for places like this

Published 4 months ago

Published 4 months ago

Must try this place. Stellar and personable service, delicious food and drinks, and very conveniently located! Definitely will be back and would recommend!

Published 4 months ago

This place is unique and you should go. The brothers were fun and Ian talked us through the menu when we were confused. Great food and vibes.

Published 4 months ago

Cute little place! Poke was amazing and the owners were very friendly. Felt like I was in bikini bottom😂

Published 4 months ago

Great delicious food. Super friendly service. Google delivered. I searched top rated restaurants, and this one is one of the best. The atmosphere is very welcoming and relaxing. The plates looked small, and I got worried that the teenager was not going to get full, but he did, so that was a plus. The whole party wished we would have been able to go back, but we didn't make it a second time. Next time we're up there, we sure will go back. Even people we know asked if we stopped at this amazing restaurant, and when we asked Tropicali? They were like, "Yes!" We were proud to say yes, we did, and yes, we agree.

Published 4 months ago

Worth the wait!

Published 4 months ago

Best service. And amazing food and atmosphere. My family's favorite place

Published 4 months ago

Tropicali is a hidden gem! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warm, laid-back vibes that perfectly complement the mountain scenery. The décor is fun, bright, and beachy, making it a refreshing escape from the typical mountain town aesthetic.

The food is absolutely fantastic. Their tropical fusion dishes, mixing Hawaiian, Caribbean, and Mexican flavors, are unique and packed with flavor. The poke bowls are fresh, generously portioned, and customizable to your liking.

The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, making sure you feel right at home. Service was fast, but it’s clear that quality isn’t compromised. It’s also a great spot for both casual bites and group dinners.

Whether you’re looking for something light and healthy or bold and flavorful, Tropicali has something for everyone. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in Big Bear!

Published 4 months ago

Sooo good bowls and amazing service!

Published 4 months ago

Amazing place. The staff was above and beyond. I asked for a recommendation about which poke bowl to get, and they recommended an off menu bowl which was a combination of pele and another bowl. It was hands down the best bowl i’ve ever had on this side of the planet. Also really cozy atmosphere. Can’t recommend it enough!

Published 4 months ago

Published 4 months ago

Feels super homey, the staff make you comfortable as you wait in line, will grab you drinks. They chat with you about the menu as you get closer so you be confident about what to order.

Food is delicious. Highly recommend.

Published 4 months ago

Delicious! A must go if you are in the Big Bear area. Really good food - we had the tikiyaki and rasta. You can even get a combo plate if you ask! Also try the tropical gangster (Frozen POG juice). Great place - we went multiple times while we were in town and just like the other reviews-super friendly service! Wish there was a location where we lived. I think it would be great if it were open later than 6pm too.

Published 5 months ago

Awesome service, that began with a friendly and lively greeting as we entered. She help us navigate the menu and made recommendations based on some of our input. The guy at the countered continued with a lively, positive vibe. Food came out and was outstanding. We were a party of 6 and were blown away.

This will become a stop each time we’re on the mountain.

Published 5 months ago

Dank

Published 5 months ago

Best poke on the planet! Best staff on the planet! Best restaurant in Big Bear. In fact I would drive to big bear just to eat at this place. Tuna is ridiculously good. Smoothly so refreshing. Nothing but good vibes and smiles.

Published 5 months ago

Published 7 months ago

Published 5 months ago

A tiki-style restaurant with island-style poke and rice bowls in the mountains! This family owned and operated restaurant is over the top in authentic flavors, fun, and good vibes!

Highly recommend!

Published 5 months ago

Worth the wait, such a cool place and great vibe.
The food was fantastic, and cool people...

Published 5 months ago

Published 5 months ago

This is the best poke in Big Bear maybe even in the whole county. I just wish there was a little more rice in the large. The service is also amazing 👍🏼 thanks Tropicali fam ❤️

Pro tip: if you're super hungry get a Large bowl for only $4 more

Published 5 months ago

Their service was excellent. Really nice staff and even gave my daughter a free half smoothie.

Published 5 months ago

Unreal food. Poke is delicious, jerk chicken was fire, carnitas waffle had the most unexpected blend of flavors that just worked. And the owners are super friendly and give great recommendations.

Line does get long, shoot for 4pm if you want to dodge the crowds. But worth it either way.

Published 5 months ago

Published 5 months ago

This place is amazing and the food is ridiculously good! If you are staying in Big Bear, you will eat here more than once! They are really flexible and make recommendations based on what type of flavors you like.

Published 5 months ago

A fun yummy experience from the set- up to the food. A food plate for everyone's tast buds. Most of the dishes have rice and your choice of combination of meat and veggies. I had the kauai Bowl, absolutely delicious. There is seating inside and outside as to continue enjoying the weather. The owners are friendly and helpful as to what to order. If you like spicy sauce you definitely have to try theirs with the food.

Published 5 months ago

Got a bad case of the runs from eating just a few bites of the unbelieavably sweet food.

Published 5 months ago

Published 5 months ago

This spot is perfection! What I really want to highlight is the service. Ian is amazing and so considerate of each person’s taste. Even handing you your food they are so friendly. Great vegan options! My teriyaki chicken bowl was just spicy enough and really tender. 10/10 spot in Big Bear!

Published 5 months ago

Tropicali was one of the first places that my partner and I ate the first time we visited Big Bear, since everyone was saying we just had to try it, and now that we live here we keep going back for more!

There are a lot of different bowls that are all twists on classic flavors, and every one we've tried has been amazing! They have both indoor and outdoor seating, which we appreciate because we love dog-friendly dates! They can get very busy, and they're closed on Tuesday/Wednesday, so plan ahead to make sure that you have time to wait (it's worth it!) and that they're open!

Published 5 months ago

Everything here is super delicious, and better than stuff I can get down in OC. Has a chill vibe, owners are really cool. Order at the counter, but plenty of seating inside and out.

Published 5 months ago

First time and the staff was exceptional with regards to helping us with the menu and matching our taste buds.

Published 5 months ago

Absolutely amazing. Great hosts, but most importantly, amazing, delicious, fun and healthy food. A must!

Published 5 months ago

Second time going here, and it was worth the drive! This restaurant makes the best poke bowls I've ever had, and the service and atmosphere is amazing! Both times I've been here one of the owners greet everybody who comes in line and helps them pick their order, and is friendly the whole time, come up to the counter to order and the other owner is there calling out peoples orders. With "seth your order has washed up on the beach" all the while Hawaiian music is playing in the background! The indoor and outdoor seating is very nice, and the food is ready within 15 minutes of your order! Great food, great owners and workers. A must eat when you come to big bear!

Published 5 months ago

Amazing bowls amazing people all around great place to eat never pass it up when we’re in Big Bear Thanks guys

Published 5 months ago

The vibes and energy of this place make it like you’re transported to another world where everyone is just super nice and the food is unreal. The crew here are such cool guys and the food is impeccable

Published 5 months ago

Published 5 months ago

Good vegetarian options since you can swap the tuna for tofu in any poke bowl. Also very understanding of gluten allergies.

Published 5 months ago

Got the Tahiti bowl. Everything tasted fresh and I loved the lava sauce that came with the bowl. My fiancé loved the chicken and sauce that came with his 808 but wasn't a huge fan of the Belgian waffles since they had what he described as "toffee brittle" in them. Customer service was great, everyone was very friendly and welcoming! If you love poke, this place will not disappoint. My one wish is that they had salmon as an option, unfortunately the only fish they offered was ahi tuna.

Published 5 months ago

Super friendly service and delicious food

Published 5 months ago

The service was excellent and so was the food!

Published 5 months ago

Wow! The service and ambiance is unlike nowhere else in Big Bear. Highly Recommend.

Published 5 months ago

The food here is honestly one of the best places on the mountain. The pricing is really fair too, its priced similar to other Poke places off the mountain despite having a monopoly up here. The cashier is the son of the owners, and it feels like its his dream job to be a Jungle Cruise skipper at Disneyland with how he calls out the orders. Personally, I have anxiety, so I hate when he calls my order out because it makes my anxiety spike. Since he calls them out in such an animated way. But I never ask him not to do that cuz thats a personal problem for me, and I can tell its part of this place’s charm. In any case, take it from a local, this place is really good!

Published 5 months ago

The service was amazing! The host made personal recommendations based on our conversation. I ordered the Krackatoa which was off menu. The serving size was great for the price. The sauce wasn't my favorite but it enjoyed it.

Published 5 months ago

The food is always good here, the staff is super friendly and funny! Maui POG for a refreshing buzz 😁

Published 5 months ago

First time here and it was absolutely delicious! I ordered the Paniolo and the flavors were amazing. It had a perfect amount of spicy yet sweet with the wife of pineapple. The smoothies there are also 😋. If you are in the big bear area, highly recommend this place. 👌🏻

Published 5 months ago

Probably the best place to eat at Big Bear Lake. Don’t just take my word for it, these reviews speak for themself. 👏👏👏

Published 5 months ago

One of our favorite places to eat when we’re in town.

Published 5 months ago

A must stop if you are in big bear!

Published 5 months ago

First off, service here is incredibly friendly and enthusiastic. The staff clearly loves what they've got going on at Tropicali. The food is really good, and worth coming for. They of course have poke, but also a number of meat-based dishes. I came for the poke, and we ordered three different preparations. The truth is that it's good, but not the best I've ever had. I think it's a bit much that the website says "best poke in America." But you know what... it doesn't have to be to make it worth a visit. The poke is fresh, you get a lot of it for your money, and like I said, the service is wonderful. In fact, both another patron and I tried to tip, and the staff would not accept it. Apparently they do enough business here that everyone is quite happy not getting tips. So give them your business! Note that they do run out of fish on a daily basis (I tried coming right before closing one day and had no luck). Also, their hours are wrong - they actually close at 8pm some days (maybe Friday/Sat?), so you might want to call if it's getting near 6pm and you want to try to get some good food in!

Published 6 months ago

Love this quaint little place! Great prices! Nice owners! Wouldn't even accept the generous tip my Aunt offered them! Highly recommend!

Published 6 months ago

This place had some of the best poke bowls we’ve ever had. The two brothers who own the joint are wonderful. We will be coming back!

Published 6 months ago

Food and host while you wait was 5+ star service. He made the wait seem less stressful which is a superpower in my book. The line was 12+ deep when we got there but somehow my hangriness was dispelled by a smoothie I didn't realize I wanted😁... Jedi master at work.
Place needs better seating configuration for how busy this place ALWAYS seems to be.

Protip: Ask about the secret menu.

Published 6 months ago

The manager and staff are about as awesome as the food is tasty... everyone gets 5 stars! The menu has incredible flavor and they bring the heat. But, heat in their dishes enhances the flavor, rather than mask poor cooking and bad ingredients. The vibe is great and the staff are incredible... probably the nicest most energetic group of people I've encountered in the last 5 or 10 years. Customer for life... now I just need to find excuses to come up to Big Bear.

Published 6 months ago

Amazing service, friendliest people. Food was stellar.

Published 6 months ago

Published 6 months ago

Published 6 months ago

Love love love love this place. Remind me of being back in Hawaii but it definitely has a California twist.

Published 6 months ago

Long line. Went on a Saturday in August around 12. Waited for 50 minutes. Met some cool people standing in line.
Dog friendly patio. I would suggest some umbrellas be added. We could have definitely used the shade. They brought beers and frozen drinks while in line. High energy employees were fun and helped ease the pain of the wait.
Purchased 6 poke bowls 1 beer and 2 frozen drinks. $140 😳.
They don't have any other fish besides ahi which was a little disappointing but still yummy..
Cute vibe inside with Hawaiian vibe music.
Shout out to Kyle...keep up.the high energy!! You have fams in San Diego

Published 6 months ago

okay food & lively atmosphere but terribly rude & incompetent staff. walk across the street to the german deli for top-notch sandwiches & lovely staff.

Published 6 months ago

We loved the food, service and atmosphere. We got a raw ahi steak that was excellent!

Published 6 months ago

Absolutely delicious staff is so nice and funny

Published 6 months ago

I love this spot! However I was most devastated today to discover that our favorite mountaintop poke adventure station was closed for some type of renovations?
Id probs suggest you call ahead if you’re planning to visit late july / Aug 2024..
Anyways still a 5 star review because Tropicali is awesome, looking forward to coming back soon

Published 6 months ago

Best poke bowl ever! My only complaint is they need to expand so I can have more.

Published 6 months ago

You must go here if you're in the area. Everything is 5/5.

Published 6 months ago

Don't even need to read other comments to know I'm agreeing with everyone. If you have to fly in order to experience this place it's worth it. Outstanding everything.

Published 6 months ago

This place is soo good and clean tasting. They are really helpful suggesting what to eat. The only complaint we had was the wait was long.

Published 6 months ago

Wifey and I really enjoyed our food and experience. Definitely worth checking out. If I was to offer one note though, the music was too loud

Published 6 months ago

What a find for us! We stopped in today during our first day at big Bear and were wry happy we did. Amazing food, fantastic atmosphere and even better people!

Published 6 months ago

Published 6 months ago

We spent a week in Big Bear on vacation and friends from home (Vegas) told us we HAD to try Tropicali. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Ian and his crew are unbelievably friendly and helpful and the food is extraordinary. The Kraken, Pele, and Cabo bowls were our choices and all were awesome. If you like pina colada you’ll have to try the pina co-ladi-dadi. And ask Ian how it got its name. 😁

Published 6 months ago

Published 6 months ago

Published 6 months ago

Published 6 months ago

Good vibes. Brothers are super cool. Poke is fresh. Drinks are sweet. I've also had the spicy bbq chicken which was good also. If your in line one of the owners greet you and give you a quick orientation bout the menu.

Published 6 months ago

love the service, we where created as soon as we walked and breakdown of the venue was given, which is awesome... our food was full of flavor and we will definitely be back.

Published 6 months ago

Owner "dewd" really made this place feel like Hawaii. The fish was fresh. The rice could use a bit less water, though.

Published 7 months ago

Pina Coladidadi
Kraken Bowl
Rasta
TIKIJUANA

All are so delicious!

Great spot to eat. The line can be long,
but it moves quickly.

Staff us awesome! They are excited to help you with the menu and what would be perfect for you to try. They ask lots of questions to make sure you get the perfect taste and meal to enjoy. They are high energy and excited about what they make and sell.

Must stop and try! Yum yum yum you need to go and get some!!

Published 7 months ago

The owner helped us with our order while we waited in line and made sure everyone in their doors was STOKED. The line and wait was super long but the good vibes and great food made it worth it.

Published 7 months ago

Waited 30-45 minutes to order. Staff were super friendly and knew their stuff, which was nice.

I tried the Pele and Cabo poke bowls. The Pele bowl had an off-tasting sauce that I didn’t enjoy, and overall, both poke bowls were just okay—nothing special. I asked for the Cabo bowl to be extra spicy, but it wasn't as spicy as I expected. The Baja meat bowl was better, and the smoothies were decent and refreshing on a hot day.

The indoor seating area could use more tables and chairs. The food felt pricey for the small portions, and I didn’t receive an itemized bill, which I was curious about.

Overall, this place was fine for a one-time visit, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to return. The service was great, but the food was just alright.

3.5 stars

Published 7 months ago

Published 7 months ago

Super chill atmosphere with seriously bangin’ food. When you know, you know. If you haven’t eaten here, you need to know!

Published 7 months ago

Published 7 months ago

The line went out of the door, BUT the line took about 35 min to get through. If they had a couple umbrellas out there for the summer is would be SO nice!

Loved the staff they were incredibly knowledgeable and friendly :)

Food I give a 4/5, it was great but not amazing. Out of the spots in the area I would definitely put this high on the list.

Published 7 months ago

It's like a mini trip to Disneyland with way better food. The bowls have so much fish in them and the sauce was spectacular. The drinks are smoothies/slushies only (no soda) but they really are refreshing. They are going to be moving to a larger location according to the staff, and it will be they're final move. The customer service is stellar, and frankly they could teach a master class on it. Thank you for the great lunch.

Published 7 months ago

Homie who was runnin' the joint today comes to work to give his 110% and I dig his gratitude for his home and customers.
The menu speaks for itself and the whole crew was great!

Published 7 months ago

actually phenomenal, i’m visiting the US from London and definitely one of the best places I’ve ever been to. Great service, atmosphere and food. the commitment to authenticity and the vibe here is immaculate. definitely recommend 10/10!

Published 7 months ago

As if this place needed another 5 start review haha! Yes it's great, you should go. Great food, best fish to rice ratio, at least on mainland. Fun decor and service.

Published 7 months ago

I was looking forward to trying this place all week and had to wait out their weekly Tuesday and Wednesday closure. It did not disappoint. Absolutely top notch flavors and options for everyone. The service was friendly and enthusiastic as well.

Published 7 months ago

Good food

Published 7 months ago

Really cool place like no place you've ever been. Super inventive selection of food choices with interesting mixes of sweet, savory and spicy. A very cool find in Big Bear.

Published 7 months ago

The notch! Best restaurant on Big Bear!

Published 7 months ago

Published 7 months ago

Wish there were more stars to give. The absolute best experience. Local who heard I was from Michigan you’ll just travel for this place! It’s soooo good!

Published 7 months ago

Greatest thing ive eaten in my life, amazing customer service

Published 7 months ago

The smoothie was amazing the food was okay waiting line and the atmosphere was below mediocre. Wouldn’t eat here again.

Published 7 months ago

Hands down one of the best poke spots in SoCal! A legit family owned business with that family feel! Friendly. Happy. Clean. They take pride in their ingredients! Everything is crafted so tasting. Such a breath of fresh air from the normal run of the mill resteraunt! I will be a customer here as long as they are in business. If you’re ever in Big Bear it’s worth a visit. The owners really take a lot of pride in their work ❤️ Truly unique

Published 7 months ago

Published 7 months ago

My husband and I had no expectations of the quality of food, nor of the service. We were simply looking for fun relaxed atmosphere, and hoped the food would be good. Luckily, that bet paid off in full! The staff was very friendly, the food was great, and the eclectic mix of 2 island nations worked well to create a fantastic anniversary dinner! I mean how could you go wing with a dish called "Rastalavita"! 😉

Published 7 months ago

Awesome food and amazing service! Options are available for gluten free and vegetarian diet. They also were able to cater for my husband's sesame allergy. The food was so delicious and reasonably priced. We would definitely recommend.

Published 7 months ago

Amazing food plus the staff are so nice

Published 7 months ago

There was a short line indoors at 3pm on a Sunday and the wait for our food was only about 5 mins. We had Kracken bowl and one of the bowls with barbacoa -loved both! The cold brew and smoothies were also great. We sat outside on the dog friendly patio and one of the staff members even brought a bowl of water for our pup. We’ll be back for sure.

Published 7 months ago

This place is EPIC! From the moment I walked in, I was hit with the most amazing vibes. The staff here is beyond incredible – their energy is contagious, and you can totally tell they LOVE what they do.

Let's talk food – we went for the Pele bowl, the Tahiti bowl, and the Choloha bowl, and they were all mind-blowingly delicious. Each bite was like a flavor explosion in my mouth. And don't even get me started on the macadamia nut cold brew – it's like a creamy, nutty dream in a cup. Perfect for a caffeine kick with a twist!

If you're looking for a place with killer food, amazing drinks, and the best people ever, Tropicali is the spot. Can't wait to go back!

Published 7 months ago

One of the best meals I’ve had in a while and the service cannot be beat! The family that owns this place is super sweet and hospitable and fun. They go above and beyond to make sure the customer gets something they’ll love and they make you feel so welcome. I’m going to be craving this poke for a while. I think I’ve said “that poke was really good” 5+ times in the last 24 hours. It’s still on my mind. Try the tiki tea, too! It was perfect. I got the Cabo bowl.

Published 7 months ago

Published 7 months ago

First time here, with a group of 12 including kids, and we’re all wowed. The service is amazing: everyone is STOKED. They seem to truly love what they’re doing. Food is just incredible, from more traditional poke bowls to unique fusion dishes. And the decor is out of this world, especially if you’re a tiki fan. About one million Easter eggs from places like Trader Vic’s, Tiki Ti, and even Disneyland’s Club 33. What a gem, and worth the wait in line (food comes out quick!). Can’t wait to come back.

Published 7 months ago

Amazing service and pure vibe is outstanding, great choice if you can't make up your mind on where to go to eat. The employees are very positive and chill, the food is great for what the genre is.

Published 7 months ago

Super fun atmosphere (a little small inside, but they have outdoor seating too). The owners are really cool and were helping people in line figure out their orders.

Some of the best Poki I’ve had for sure. Would definitely come back again and recommend to others.

Published 8 months ago

Great food, great ambience, great staff. It’s a must every time we visit Big Bear.

Published 8 months ago